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Clin Exp Dermatol 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Dermatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine.

Radiother Oncol 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham & Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Limited data exists regarding the efficacy of curative hypofractionated radiotherapy (hypo-RT) regimens compared to conventionally-fractionated radiotherapy (conv-RT) for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 241 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic MCC from 2005-2021 and who received RT at Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of in-field locoregional relapse using Gray's test with competing risks of death and isolated out-of-field recurrence. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2022 May 16. Epub 2022 May 16.

Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

J Neuroimmunol 2022 May 5;368:577882. Epub 2022 May 5.

Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy. Electronic address:

A 67-years-old woman developed subacute oculomotor nerve palsy and cerebellar gait instability while receiving avelumab as immunotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma. Brain MRI revealed oculomotor nerve T2/FLAIR hyperintensity and contrast enhancement, CSF cell number and protein concentration were slightly increased. Antibodies against intracellular and surface antigens were excluded through commercial assays, but home-made immunohistochemistry on rat brain sections showed a "neurofilament-like" pattern. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2022 May 13:e15580. Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Dermatol Ther 2022 May 13:e15581. Epub 2022 May 13.

Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.

PLoS Pathog 2022 May 13;18(5):e1010551. Epub 2022 May 13.

McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America.

Clear evidence supports a causal link between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and the highly aggressive human skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Integration of viral DNA into the human genome facilitates continued expression of the MCPyV small tumor (ST) and large tumor (LT) antigens in virus-positive MCCs. In MCC tumors, MCPyV LT is truncated in a manner that renders the virus unable to replicate yet preserves the LXCXE motif that facilitates its binding to and inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRb). Read More

Endocr Pathol 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Città Della Salute e Della Scienza of Turin, University of Turin, Via Santena 7, 10126, Turin, Italy.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, whose pathogenesis can be traced back to UV radiation damage or Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection. Despite some improvements on the characterization of the disease partly due to its increased incidence, crucial pathogenetic and prognostic factors still need to be refined. A consecutive series of 228 MCC from three hospitals in Turin was collected with the aim of both analyzing the apparent increase in MCC incidence in our area and investigating the distribution and prognostic role of clinical-pathological parameters, with a focus on MCPyV status, ALK tumor expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Read More

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States.

J Invest Dermatol 2022 May 7. Epub 2022 May 7.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016.

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022 May 6;174:103700. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Medical Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey.

The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) entered treatment algorithms in most tumors. However, the data on the efficacy is limited in rare tumors with no phase III studies. We systemically reviewed the clinical trials evaluating the ICI efficacy in rare tumors and included a total of 47 clinical trials in this review. Read More

PLoS One 2022 4;17(5):e0266980. Epub 2022 May 4.

SOTIO Biotech Inc.

Purpose: The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) drives T cell dysfunction and inhibits the effectiveness of immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor-based T cell (CAR T) cells. Early data has shown that modulation of T cell metabolism can improve intratumoral T cell function in preclinical models.

Experimental Design: We evaluated GPC3 expression in human normal and tumor tissue specimens. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2022 Jan 15;28(1). Epub 2022 Jan 15.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm, warranting surgical excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy. In later stages, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation are required owing to its aggressive malignant behavior. We describe a 62-year-old woman who presented with multifocal recurrence of MCC and was not a candidate for immunotherapy or surgery. Read More

Front Oncol 2022 14;12:873771. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Background: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) are increasingly common sarcomas of the skin with a genetic UV signature. Immunosuppression is a known risk factor for developing other UV-induced skin cancers such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and Merkel cell carcinoma with increased mortality. In case reports or small case series of AFX/PDS patients, immunosuppression has been hypothesized as a risk factor for the development of distant metastases. Read More

Front Oncol 2022 14;12:864066. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Nebraska Center for Virology and the School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is not fully understood. We assessed the frequency of oncogenic viruses in OSSN by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), Kaposi sarcoma virus, and adenovirus. Cases from Zambia were prospectively enrolled using a cross-sectional study design between November 2017 and March 2020. Read More

Cancer Med 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Background: After radical resection of a nonmetastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (M0 MCC), postoperative radiation therapy (RT) is recommended as it improves survival. However, the role of RT in specific subgroups of M0 MCC is unclear. We sought to identify whether there is a differential survival benefit from RT in specific M0 MCC patient subgroups. Read More

Malays J Pathol 2022 Apr;44(1):61-66

Lioying Chi-Mei Hospital, Department of Pathology, Tainan, Taiwan.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant cutaneous neuroendocrine tumour affecting mainly elderly patients and is more common in the West than in Asia. It is associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), immunosuppression, and ultraviolet light. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the first series of MCC from Taiwan and identified 19 cases from three tertiary centres. Read More

Hautarzt 2022 Apr 28. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Institut für Virologie, Nationales Referenzzentrum für Papillom- und Polyomaviren, Universitätsklinikum Köln und Universität zu Köln, Fürst-Pückler-Str. 56, 50935, Köln, Deutschland.

Of the 15 currently known human polyomaviruses (HPyV), eight have been found on healthy skin. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), HPyV6, HPyV7, and to a lesser extent Saint Louis polyomavirus (STLPyV) are considered part of the human cutaneous virome. The most important cutaneous polyomavirus, MCPyV, causes the majority of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC). Read More

J Int Med Res 2022 Apr;50(4):3000605221094274

Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

There is heterogeneity in cancer patients' responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including hyperprogression, which is very rapid tumor progression following immunotherapy, and pseudoprogression, which is an initial increase followed by a decrease in tumor burden or in the number of tumor lesions. This heterogeneity complicates clinical decisions because either premature withdrawal of the treatment or prolonged ineffective treatment harms patients. We presented two patients treated with ICIs with heterogeneous responses. Read More

Int J Surg Pathol 2022 Apr 24:10668969221095267. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Department of Pathology, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

. Metastasis to parotid gland occurs mostly from skin cancers of the head and neck region. Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the parotid gland are rare and not well studied so far. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2022 Jun 18;209(Pt A):1155-1168. Epub 2022 Apr 18.

State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, P.R. China; The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academic of Science, Guiyang 550014, P.R. China. Electronic address:

The transcription factor Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1) belonging to the E26 Transformation-Specific (ETS) transcription factor family is not only expressed in normal cells such as hematopoietic stem cells and vascular endothelial cells, but also abnormally expressed in various malignant tumors including Ewing sarcoma, Merkel cell sarcoma, small cell lung carcinoma, benign or malignant hemangioma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bladder cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma. Fli-1 binds to the promoter or enhancer of the target genes and participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes of tumor cells, including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The expression of Fli-1 gene is related to the specific biological functions and characteristics of the tissue in which it is located. Read More

J Neurol 2022 Apr 16. Epub 2022 Apr 16.

Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNSs) are a wide spectrum of neurologic diseases characterized by different clinical features, associated with a neoplasia, and triggered by an immune-mediated process. In most cases, it is possible to detect specific neuronal antibodies and the Hu protein is one of the most frequently recognized intracellular antigens in patients with PNSs. Small-cell lung cancer is the most common cancer associated with PNSs, followed by urological, gynecological and hematological malignancies. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2022 06 12;86(6):1233. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Department of Dermatology, Center for Global Health, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Florida Center for Dermatology, St Augustine, Florida. Electronic address:

J Surg Case Rep 2022 Apr 12;2022(4):rjac172. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin is a rare but aggressive malignancy, which predominantly affects older adults with fair skin. Isolated limb infusion (ILI) using melphalan and actinomycin D was first developed as a minimally invasive treatment option to treat unresectable metastatic melanoma confined to the limb. We report on a 62-year-old male with in-transit metastases (ITMs) treated with ILI to highlight the ongoing role this treatment has when all other therapies have been exhausted. Read More

Kidney360 2021 Dec 30;2(12):2040-2041. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Department of Renal Medicine, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, United Kingdom.

Cytopathology 2022 Apr 13. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Department of Cytology & Gynecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon aggressive skin tumour which is well known for its recurrence and metastasis. Leptomeningeal metastasis involving the cerebrospinal fluid is extremely rare. The diagnosis may easily be missed as it simulates other much more common small round blue cell tumours. Read More

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022 Apr 20:1-11. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.

Introduction: Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) as a group exceed the incidence of all other malignancies combined. NMSC includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. As the incidence continues to rise, it is important to appreciate the available treatment options. Read More

Virchows Arch 2022 Apr 12. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Department of Pathology, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France.

MCC (Merkel cell carcinoma) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous neoplasm. Integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is observed in about 80% of the cases, while the remaining 20% are related to UV exposure. Both MCPyV-positive and -negative MCCs-albeit by different mechanisms-are associated with RB1 inactivation leading to overexpression of SOX2, a major contributor to MCC biology. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2022 Mar 28;23(7). Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Molecular Inflammation Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a causal factor in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). The oncogenic potential is mediated through its viral oncoproteins large T-antigen (LT) and small T-antigen (sT). Cytokines produced by tumor cells play an important role in cancer pathogenesis, and viruses affect their expression. Read More